Electrical-stepped chance game device actuated a predetermined number of times,each time of a variable selected number of steps



July 15, 1969 A. B. HARTLEY ETAL 3,455

A ELECTRICAL-STEPPED CHANCE GAME DEVICE ACTUATED A PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF TIMES, EACH TIME OF 4 A VARIABLE SELECTED NUMBER OF STEPS Filed Dec. 6, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVliN'lURS. ARNOLD B. HARTLEY- MARV/N L.F/EDLER BY a5; ATTORNE).

y 1969 AB. HARTLEY ETAL 3,455,557

STEPPED CHANCE GAME DEVICE ACTUATED A I PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF TIMES, EACH TIME OF ELECTRICAL A VARIABLE SELECTED NUMBER OF STEPS S Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 6, 1965 July 15, 1969 A. a. HARTLEY ETAL 3,455,557

ELECTRICAL-STEPPED CHANCE GAME DEVICE ACTUATED A PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF TIMES, EACH TIME OF A VARIABLE SELECTED NUMBER OF STEPS Filed Dec. 6, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 309 304 FIG 4 3/7 16 3/? INVbN'I RS. 322 ARNOLD a. m r/.5)

l 320 B MARVIN L. F/EDLER 274 276 FIG.

3,455,557 ELECTRlCAL-STEPPED CHANCE GAME DEVICE ACTUATED A PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF TIMES, EACH TIME OF A VARIABLE SELECTED NUMBER OF STEPS Arnold B. Hartley, Port Washington, N.Y., and Marvin L. Fiedler, San Antonio, Tex., assignors to Specialized Mass Markets, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation'of New York Filed Dec. 6, 1965, Ser. No. 511,656 Int. Cl. A63f N18 US. Cl. 273141 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This electrical-stepped chance game comprises an electrically operated device. To operate the device there is provided a manually actuated dial type means to electrically pulse a variable selected number of times for each actuation of the dial. There is provided means to cumulatively sense the pulses from operating the pulsing means a plurality of actuations. Said sensing means comprise a multi-position rotary stepping switch means operating round and round in one direction only. The electrically operated device is operated when said stepping switch means is in one or more predetermined positions at the end of a succeeding predetermined plural number of successive actuations of said pulsing means. A second electrically operated device is provided. This second electrically operated device will be operated if at the end of a predetermined plural number of actuations of the pulsing device said stepping switch means is in any other than said one or more predetermined positions. A token controlled switch is provided which must be actuated by insertion of a token before the pulsing means may be operated. Said one or more positions of the sensing means may be changed. Time delay means is provided for terminating operation of the first men tioned electrically operated device or the second electrically operated device, whichever one is operated. Means is provided to render the pulsing means ineffective to send pulses to said sensing means after said predetermined number of actuations of the pulsing means has been accomplished. One electrically operated device comprises a storage means containing a plurality of articles with means to eject one of the articles upon actuation of said one of said electrically operated devices.

This invention relates to games of chance, and similar apparatus.

It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus of the character described comprising a telephone type dial with which the user dials a predetermined number of numbers which dialing controls means within the machine to activate a win mechanism at random occasions dependent upon the sum of the numbers dialed.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described comprising means to statistically increase or decrease the number of wins per given number of usages of the apparatus.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described wherein the means controlling the win mechanism comprises a stepping switch, which stepping switch comprises a plurality of fixed contacts arranged in a circle, a rotor pivotally mounted at the center of the circle of contacts, means to move the free end of said rotor around said circle of contacts from one contact to the next a total number of times equal to the sum of the numbers dialed, and circuit means connected to said rotor and a randomly ited States Patent selected one or more of said plurality of contacts, said circuit means becoming complete to activate said win mechanism only when said rotor contacts said one or one of said more than one randomly selected contacts after said rotor has moved a number of contacts equal to the sum of the numbers dialed.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described wherein said means controlling the win mechanism comprises means to prevent activation of the Win mechanism if said rotor should contact said randomly selected contact or one of said more than one randomly selected contacts before said rotor has moved a number of contacts equal to the sum of all the predetermined number of numbers dialed.

A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described wherein said means to statistically increase or decrease the number of wins per given number of usages of the machine comprises switch means in said circuit means to selectively include or exclude each of all but one of said more than one randomly selected contacts in said circuit means.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described which is adaptable to use in retail sales promotion campaigns, in which tokens or the like are given out free to consumers who must come to the retailers store where the machine is located to use the tokens in the machine, and wherein Winners are awarded cash, merchandise, discounts, trading stamps or the like, to thereby increase traflic and sales in the store.

A .still further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described comprising a lose mechanism as well as said win mechanism, each of said win and lose mechanisms including different audible and visible means to indicate to the user whether he has won or lost, and to hold said win or lose audible and visible means activated for a predetermined time, and thereafter render the machine inactive and ready for another cycle.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described which shall be contained in a compact case, which shall be light and easily moved, which may be made of relatively simple electromechanical components, which shall be exciting to use, which shall be inexpensive to manufacture and easy to maintain, which shall be tamper-proof, and which shall be practical and eflicient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of invention will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown an illustrative embodiment of this invention,

. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a machine embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic wiring diagram of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the win card dispenser;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic wiring diagram of the win card dispenser.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, 10 designates a machine embodying the invention. Machine 10 comprises a cabinet 11 comprising a top Wall 12, a front sloped wall 13, a front vertical wall 14, side panels 15 and 16, and a bottom and a rear wall not shown. Suitable door means, not shown, are provided to permit access to the interior of the cabinet 11.

Fixed to side panel is a cabinet extension 17, having a chute 18 from which win tickets are dispensed as will appear hereinafter. A light 19 is mounted on the top of cabinet extension 17.

Fixed to side panel 16 is a cabinet extension 20 having a token slot or receiver 21.

The entire cabinet 11 may be placed on a table 22 or other convenient place for use.

Mounted on top wall 12 are a pair of illuminated signs 23 and 24 of the type in which the legend on the sign is visible only when the sign is lit. Sign 23 may read Sorry-Better Luck Next Time, and sign 24 may read WINNER. These signs, and all the lights, are activated by the circuit to be described hereinafter.

Mounted on front sloped wall 13 are a pair of lose lights 25, 25, a pair of win lights 26, 26, first, second, and third dialing lights 27, 28, and 29, respectively, a dial which may be of the usual telephone-type construction, a dial-ready indicator light 183, and a dial indicator light 31. Mounted on front vertical panel 14 are a pair of on-otf lights 1-85.

Mounted within cabinet 11 and its extensions 17 and 20 is a group of components and associated wiring comprising a circuit 50.

Referring to FIG. 2, power is supplied to circuit via a plug which feeds a pair of lines 101 and 102 with 115 to 120 volts A.C. electricity. Line 102 is provided with a main switch 103. Line 101 has a fuse 104. Lines 101 and 102 feed one side of a transformer 105. The other side of transformer 105 feeds a rectifier circuit 106 comprising four silicon diodes 107 and a pair of resistors 108. The output of circuit 106 is preferably 24 volts D.C., indicated by a and the usual symbol for ground. This circuitry comprises the power supply for the invention and is generally designated by number 109. Wiring, partially not shown, connects the remainder of the components to power supply 109, and such connections are indicated by the above two symbols wherever not shown in full.

Circuit 50 includes a stepping switch 110, which comprises a coil 111, a rotor 112, and a plurality of terminals which are sequentially contacted by the outer end of rotor 112. Stepping switch 110- is of a well-known type wherein the rotor moves from one contact to the next for each electrical pulse received by coil 111. Any number of terminals can be used. A switch with forty contacts, numbered one to forty, has been found satisfactory. Leads may be connected to any number of the forty contacts, and as will appear hereinafter the more contacts so used, the greater the chances of a win on each play. In the embodiment shown, a lead 113 is connected to contact number forty, a lead 114 is connected to contact number eleven, and a lead 115 is connected to contact number twenty-nine. Switches 116 and 117 are provided in leads 113 and 115 respectively. The three leads 113, 114 and 115 come together at a juncture 118. The points that are wired will be called live points. By use of switches 116 and 117 the number of live points can be increased from one to two or three at will. Naturally, more leads with switches can be brought from juncture 118 to increase the odds favoring a win still further.

The dial 30, of the usual telephone type, includes a pair of normally open contacts 119, and a pair of normally closed contacts 120. Contacts 120 open and then close a number of times for each dialing movement corresponding to the number dialed. Contacts 119 close and then open once per dialing movement regardless of the number dialed. A line 121 connects one side of contacts 119 to one side of the coil of a relay AA, the other side of which coil is connected to power supply 109 at A line 122 is connected to the other side of contacts 119 and one side of contacts 120. The other side of contacts 120 is connected to a line 123.

Relay AA comprises a pair of normally open contacts 124 and a pair of normally closed contacts 125. One side of contacts 125 is connected by a line 126 to the center terminal of rotor 112 of stepping switch 110. The other side of contacts 125 is connected to a line 127. One side of contacts 124 is connected to power at via line 124a and the other side of said contacts is connected by a line 128 to the coil of a relay B, the other side of which coil is connected to ground.

Relay B comprises a pair of normally closed contacts 129, and three pairs of normally open contacts 130, 131 and 132. One side of contacts 129 is connected to a line 133. A line 134 is connected at one end to both the other side of contacts 129 and one side of contacts and at its other end to ground. Arc suppression means 135 are provided across contacts 129, connected to lines 133 and 134, and may consist of a resistor and a capacitor in series, as is well known in the art. The other side of contacts 130 is connected to the other end of line 127. One side of contacts 132 is connected to ground by a line 136, and the other side of said contacts is connected to a line 137. Are suppression means 138, similar to means 135, are connected to lines 136 and 137 across contacts 132. One side of contacts 131 is connected to power at and the other side of said contacts is connected to a line 139, the other end of which is connected to one side of the coil of a relay A. Interposed in the coil of relay B, is a slug of conducting material 140. This slug causes relay B to be of the so called slow release type, that is, when current is cut ofi to the coil, the contacts will not move back to their normal position from their activated position for some small finite time, such as of a second. The purposes for this time delay will appear hereinafter.

The other side of the coil of relay A is connected to the other end of line 123 extending from contacts 120 of the dial 30. Relay A comprises a pair of normally open contacts 141, and a pair of normally closed contacts 142. One side of contacts 141 is connected to ground via a line 143, and the other side of said contacts is connected to one end of a line 144, and the other end of said line is connected to one side of dial indicator light 31. One side of contacts 142 is connected by a line 145 to one side of the coil 111 of stepping switch 110. The other end of coil 111 is connected to power at The other side of contacts 142 is connected by a line 146 to one end of the coil of a relay C, the other end of which coil is connected to power at Line 137 from contacts 132 on relay B terminates at a juncture 147 in line 146. Arc suppression means 148 is provided across contacts 142 and is connected to lines 145 and 146.

Relay C comprises one pair of normally open contacts 149, one side of which is connected to line 133 from contacts 129 on relay B, and the other side of which is connected to a line 150. Arc suppression means 151 is provided across contacts 149 and is connected to lines 133 and 150. The coil of relay C, similarly to the coil of relay B is provided with a slug 152, similar to slug 140 whereby relay C is also of the slow release type.

Line 122, extending from both contacts 119 and 120 of the dial, has its other end connected to one side of a pair of normally closed contacts 153 on a relay E. Relay E also comprises a pair of normally open contacts 154. One side of contacts 154, and the other side of contacts 153 are connected to ground by a common line 154a. The other side of contacts 154 is connected to one side of the coil of relay E by a line 155, and the other side of said coil is connected by a line 156 to one side of the coil of a relay CH3. Interposed between the ends of line is a juncture 157 from which extends a line 158 which terminates at a juncture 159.

Interposed between the ends of line 156 is a juncture 160. The other side of the coil of relay CH3 is connected by a line 161 to one side of a pair of normally open contacts 162 on said relay. The other side of contacts 162 is connected to ground by a line 163. Relay CH3 comprises another pair of normally open contacts 164, one side of which is connected to ground by a line 165, and

the other side of which is connected to one side of the coil on a relay D by a line 166, the other side of which coil is connected to power at Relay 0 comprises a pair of normally open contacts 167 and a pair of normally closed contacts 168. One side side of contacts 168 is connected by a line 169 to juncture 159, and the other side of said contacts 168 is connected to a line 170 which ends at juncture 171. One side of contacts 167 is connected to a line 172 which terminates at a juncture 173. The other side of contacts 167 is connected to a line 174, the other end of which is connected to one side of a pair of normally open contacts 175 on a relay H. Interposed between the ends of line 174 are three junctures 176, 177 and 178. A line 179 connects junctures 160 and 176.

Relay H also comprises a pair of normally closed contacts 180. The other side of contacts 175 and one side of contacts 180 are connected to power at by a common line 181. One side of the coil of relay H is connected to ground, and the other side of said coil is connected to one end of a line 182.

The other side of contacts 180 on relay H is connected to one side of the dial ready indicator lamp 183 by a line 184. The other side of said lamp is connected to ground.

The on-off indicator lamps 185 each have one side connected to power at by a line 186, and their other sides connected to ground by a line 187. These lamps are lit so long as switch 103 is closed to show that the machine Circuit 50 also includes a gang stepping switch SWB. Switch SW-B comprises three ganged rotors 188, 189 and 190, each of which sequentially respectively contacts an array of associated contacts, 188a through d, 189a through d and 190a through a, respectively. Switch SW-B also includes a pair of normally open contacts 191, one side of which is connected to power at by a line 191a, and the other side of Which is connected to the other end of line 182. Contacts 191 close as soon as ganged rotors 188, 189, 190 move from their normal or re-set position shown, and stay closed until said rotors return to this normal position. Contacts 188a, 1881) and 188d are not used. A line 192 connects contact 1880 to juncture 118. A line 193 connects the central terminals of rotors 188 and 189. A line 193a connects contact 1890 to a juncture 161a in line 161. Contacts 189a, 1891) and 189a are not used. A line 194 connects contact 190a to one side of light 27. A line 195 connects contact 19% to one side of light 28. A line 196 connects contacts 190C to one side of light 29. A line 196a connects the other sides of lights 27, 28, 29 and 31 to power at through a resistor 196i). A line 197 connects contact 190d to juncture 159. The central point of rotor 190 is connected to ground by a line 198.

Switch SWB also includes two coils 199 and 200. Coil 199 moves the ganged rotors from one contact to the next each time it receives a pulse. Coil 200 returns the ganged rotors to normal or reset position when it receives a pulse. One side of coil 199 is connected to power at by a line 201, and the other side of said coil is connected to the other end of line 150. One side of coil 200 is connected to power at by a line 202, and the other side of said coil is connected to one end of a line 203.

The other end of line 203 is connected to a token chute 204. The other side of token chute 204 is grounded by a line 205. Token chute 204 is a well-known device and basically comprises a pair of normally open contacts 206 which are momentarily closed by the passage of the token, and arc suppression means 207 across said contacts. Connected to a juncture 208 in line 203 is a manual reset 204a identical to token chute 204 in operation, except that it is mounted within the cabinet and is actiated by hand instead of by a token. Similar parts have the same number followed by a. A line 209 extends from a juncture 210 in line 203 to one side of a counter 211,

the other side of which counter is connected to power at by a line 212. Counter 211 counts the total number of times contacts 206 and 206a are closed.

The remainder of circuit 50 comprises two groups of components with associated wiring, 215 and 220. As will appear in the operation description below, group 215 is the lose chain, and is activated when a losing combination of numbers is dialed; and group 220 is the win chain, and is activated when a winning combination of numbers is dialed.

Lose chain group 215 comprises a thermal delay relay 221 having a coil 222 and a pair of normally closed contacts 223. Relay 221 is of a well known type in which the coil receives current for some finite period of time before it heats up sufiiciently to open its normally closed contacts. A time delay of about three seconds has been found to be satisfactory. A line 224 connects one side of coil 222 to juncture 177 in line 174, and a line 225 connects the other side of said coil to juncture 171. A line 226 connects one side of contacts 223 to juncture 171, and the other side of said contacts is connected by a line 227 to one side of a coil of a relay G, the other side of which coil is connected to juncture 178 in line 174 by a line 228.

Relay G comprises two pairs of normally open contacts 229 and 230. One side of contacts 229 is grounded by a line 231, and the other side of said contacts is connected to a line 232 which terminates at juncture 233. One side of contacts 230 is connected by a line 234 to one terminal 235 in a lose appliance receptacle box 236, and the other side of said contacts is connected to one end of a line 237, the other end of which is connected to a juncture 238 in AC. power supply line 102.

The other terminal 239 in receptacle box 236 is connected to one end of a line 240.

A line 241 connects juncture 233 to one side of a lose bell or buzzer 242. A suitable resistor 243 is interposed in line 241 to cooperate with buzzer 242. A line 244 connects one side of each of lose lamps 25 to juncture 233. The other sides of each of lamps 25 and buzzer 242 is connected to power at by a line 245.

The win chain group 220 comprises a thermal delay relay 221a identical to relay 221, similar parts having the same number followed by a. One side of coil 222a is connected by a line 246 to juncture 173 of line 172 coming from the normally open contacts 167 on relay D. The other side of coil 222a is grounded by a line 247. One side of contacts 223a is grounded via a line 248 which connects to a juncture 249 in line 231, and the other side of said contacts is connected to one side of the coil of a relay F by a line 250.

The other side of the coil of relay F is connected to one end of a line 251, the other end of which is connected to a juncture 252 in line 246. Relay F also comprises two pairs of normally open contacts 253 and 254. One side of contacts 253 is grounded via a line 255 which connects to a juncture 256 in line 248, and the other side of said contacts is connected to one side of a win hell or gong 257 via a line 258, the other side of which bell or gong is connected to power at by a line 259. One side of contacts 254 is connected to AC. power supply line 102 via a line 260 which connects to a juncture 261 in line 237; and the other side of said contacts is connected to one terminal 262 in a win appliance receptacle box 263 by a line 264.

The other terminal 265 in box 263 is connected to the other AC. power supply line via a line 266 having a fuse 267 interposed therein. Line 240 from the lose receptacle box 236 terminates at a juncture 268 in line 266. A line 269 connects a juncture 270 in line 26 6 with one side of each of the win lights 26. The other side of each of said lights 26 is connected by a line 271 to a juncture 272 in line 264.

The lose and win appliance receptacle boxes 236 and 263 thus supply A.C. line current controlled by circuit 7 50. Signs 23 and 24 are plugged into said boxes respectively, and if desired, any other appliances may be powered as well.

Included in win group 220 is a line 273 which connects juncture 173 with one terminal 274 of a win card dispenser 275. Dispenser 275 includes a second terminal 276 which is grounded via line 277. Light 19 is connected in parallel across lines 273 and 277 and has a resistor 278 in series with it.

Any suitable win dispenser may be used depending on what is to be dispensed to winners. In the embodiment shown, tickets or cards are dispensed to winners. One structure of dispenser 275 for dispensing such cards is shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

Dispenser 275 comprises a base plate 300 of rectangular shape suitably mounted within cabinet 11. Plate 300 has a cut-out extending from one short side thereof dividing the rear portion of the plate into a pair of long rear leg portions 301, 301, having inner facing edges 302, 302, and a front connecting edge 303. Plate 300 has a front notch, equal in width to the rear notch, extending from the other short side of the plate, and dividing the front portion of the plate into a pair of short front leg portions 301a, 301a, having inner facing edges 302a, 302a, aligned with edges 302, 302, and a rear connecting edge 303a. Mounted along the long sides of plate 300 are a pair of rail members 304, 304 having inner, facing grooved edges 305, 305. The space between edges 305 is greater than the space between edges 302, 302a. A pusher plate 306, having a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of one of the cards which is dispensed, is slidably mounted on plate 302 and in grooves 305. A normally closed limit switch 307 is mounted on one leg portion 301 in position to be contacted by the rear edge of plate 306 when said plate is in its rearmost position, for a reason hereinafter appearing. Pusher plate 306 is formed with a transverse slot 308 adjacent the rear end thereof. Four upright members 309 extend upwardly from rails 304 and plate 300, and support a motor plate 310 at the upper ends thereof. Mounted on plate 310 is a motor M having a motor shaft 311 extending down through an opening in plate 310. Motor shaft 311 also carries a cam member 312, FIG. 5, which cooperates with a normally closed switch 313. Cam 312 will open switch 313 once per 360 of rotation of the shaft. Mounted on the outer end of shaft 311 is a plate or arm 314 having a drive pin 315 extending down from the outer end thereof through pusher plate slot 308.

Mounted on rails 304 and plate 300 adjacent the front ends thereof is a win card magazine mounting plate 316, held in place by bolts 317. Plate 316 is formed with an opening 318 positioned over the un-notched portion of plate 300 adjacent edge 303a thereof. Mounted in opening 318 is a gravity feed win card magazine 319 of a well known construction. The diameter of the circle described by pin 315 is equal to the stroke of pusher plate 316 and less than the length of slot 308 between edges 302.

Referring now to FIG. and the circuitry of the win card dispenser 275, a line 320 connects terminal 276 to one side of switch 307. The other side of said switch is connected by a line 321 to one side of motor M. The other side of motor M is connected to terminal 274 by a line 322. A line 323 connects a juncture 324 in line 322 to one side of the coil of a relay W, the other side of which coil is connected to one side of a pair of normally open contacts 325 on relay W by a line 326. Relay W also comprises a pair of normally closed contacts 327, one side of which is connected to the other side of contacts 325 by a line 328. The other side of contacts 327 is connected to a juncture 329 in line 321 by a line 330. A line 331 connects a juncture 332 in line 328 with a juncture 333 in line 320. A line 334 connects a juncture 335 in line 326 to one side of switch 313, and the other side of said switch is connected to a juncture 336 in line 320 by a line 337.

8 OPERATION The apparatus is shown in the normal or re-set position. The previous play was a loser, as can be seen from the position of rotor 112 of forty point switch which is resting on contact number thirty-eight which is not one of the live points. At the end of a play, until the apparatus is reset, relay H is held in activated condition because contacts 191 on switch SW-B are held closed by the ganged rotors which are off their normal position. At such time, current flows from power at through line 191a, contacts 191, line 182, coil of relay H and to ground. Light 183 is off since contacts are open. Relay E is also being held activated through the now closed normally open contacts 175 on relay H. The path of current flow is line 181, contacts 175, line 174, junction '176, lines 179 and 156, coil of relay E, junction 157, line 158, junction 159, line 197, contact 190d, rotor 190 and line 198 to ground. The holding of relay E acts as a safety against the machine being played without a token being inserted, as will appear hereinafter. Other conditions also exist, but these will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Lamps are lit to show the machine is on. Lamp 183 is not lit to show the machine is not ready to be dialed. All other lights, bells, buzzers and the like are off.

The user inserts a token closing contacts 206, or contacts 206a are manually closed. Counter 211 registers one count. Current flows through line 212, counter 211, line 209, junction 210, line 203 and to ground through either contacts 206a and line 205a, or contacts 206 and line 205. Coil 200 is actuated to reset switch SW-B to the position of FIG. 2. Current flows through line 202, coil 200 and line 203 to ground. Relay H is deactivated because contacts 191 return to their normal open condition. Lamp 183 lights because contacts 180 on relay H return to their normal closed condition. Relay E becomes deactivated because contacts 175 on relay H return to their normal open condition. Lamp 27 lights to show that the machine is ready to receive the first dialing operation. Current flows through line 196a, lamp 27, line 194, contact a, rotor 190 and line 198 to ground.

For the sake of example, it will be assumed the user first dials a three and a second nine. This would put rotor 112 on contact numbered 10 of switch 110. For his third dial, it will first be assumed the user dials a one which makes him a winner, and then, alternatively, any other number which makes him a loser.

The user then starts his first dialing operation, a three. At the beginning of the dialing operation, when the number one hole of the dial is approximately midway between its normal position and the dial stop, the normally open contacts 119 of dial 30 close. This activates relay AA. Current flows from power at through the coil of relay AA, line 121, contacts 119, line 122, contacts 153 on relay E, and to ground via line 154a.

The normally open contacts 124 on relay AA close to activate the coil of relay B. Current flows from power at through line 124a, now closed contacts 124, line 128, coil of relay B and slug 140 to ground. Normally closed contacts 125 on relay AA control the flow of current through line 126 to rotor 112 of switch 110. Since relay AA is controlled by contacts 119 on the dial 30, and these contacts 119 are closed so long as the dial is moving or is off normal position, no current can flow from rotor 112 while the dial is moving or is off normal position.

Operation of relay B causes operation of the coil of relay A. Current flows from power at through now closed contacts 131 on relay B, line 139, coil of relay A, line 123, still normally closed contacts 120 on dial 30, line 122, still normally closed contacts 153 on relay E, and to ground via line 154a. Operation of relay B also causes operation of the coil of relay C. Current flows from power at through the coil of relay C and slug 152, line 146, juncture 147, line 134, now closed contacts 132 on relay B, and to ground via line 136.

The user has now reached the end of the clockwise stroke of his dialing operation, his finger is against the dial stop, and he releases the dial so that it may make its return counter-clockwise stroke under influence of the usual spring or the like in the dial. As the dial makes this return stroke, the normally closed contacts 120 on the dial open and then close a number of times equal to the number dialed. Each such cycle of contacts 120 causes an off, then on again cycle of relay A, because contacts 120 are in the current path feeding the coil of relay A described above. Each such cycle of contacts 120 and relay A causes a pulse of current to flow through coil 111 of switch 110 to cause rotor 112 to move from one contact to the next for each such pulse, in the example, three times. Current flows from power at through coil 111 time delay, a pulse of current passes to the coil of relay CH-3 to activate the win chain 220, as will appear below. Current flows from power at line 181, now closed contacts 175 on relay H, line 174, junction 176, line 179, junction 160, coil of relay CH-3, line 161, junction 161a, line 193a, contact 1890, rotor 189, line 193, rotor 188, contact 188e, line 192, junction 118, line 114, live point 11, rotor 112, line 126, normally closed contacts 125, line 127, now' closed (due to time delay) contacts 130 on relay B, and to ground via line 134. The win chain is self-sustaining-after it gets this pulse via a holding circuit of switch 110, line 145, now momentarily normally closed contacts 142 on relay A, line 137, now closed contacts 132 on relay B, and to ground via line 136. This cycling of relay A also causes dial indicator lamp 31 to blink on and oft" again a number of times equal to the number dialed. The current flows from power at through line 196a, lamp 31, line 144, momentarily closed contacts 141 on relay A, and to ground via line 143.

At the end of each of the dialing operations, when the dial has completed its counter-clockwise stroke, a pulse of current is sent to coil 199 of switch SWB to move the ganged rotors 188, 189 and 190 from their a contacts to their b contacts respectively. At th end of the dialing operation, contacts 119 open to de-activate relay AA. Contacts 124 on relay AA return to their normally open condition, and the flow of current to the coil of relay B is stopped. However relay B remains activated for some small finite time thereafter because of the slow-release characteristic caused by slug 140. The purpose of of this time delay on release of relay B will appear hereinafter. At the end of the time delay, relay B returns all its contacts to normal. Contacts 132 on relay B stops the flow of current to the coil of relay C. Relay C is also a delayed release relay due to slug 152 in the coil thereof. A pulse which lasts as long as the time relay on relay C lasts then flows through coil 199 of switch SWB. The current path is from power at I, through line 201, coil 199, line 150, contacts 149 on relay C still closed due to the time delay, line 133, already closed contacts 129 on relay B, and to ground via line 134. Light 27 goes out and light 28 lights,

since rotor 190 has moved from its a to its b contact to connect line 195 to ground via line 198. This light shows the user that the machine is ready to take the second dialing operation. Contacts 191 on switch SWB also close at this time to activate relay H, which closes contacts 175 thereon, which feeds power from to line 174 in preparation for indicating a win or a lose at the end of the last dialing operation as will be explained below. Relay E, however, remains de-activated because line 197 is not yet connected to ground via rotor 190 and contact 190d on switch SWB.

The user now dials his second number, a nine. As in the first dialing operation, rotor 112 is advanced nine contacts to end up resting on contact numbered ten of switch 110, lamp 31 blinks nine times, and thereafter a pulse is sent through contacts 149 of relay C to coil 199 of switch SWB to advance the ganged rotors from their [1 to their 0 positions, and to put out light 28 and light light 29 to show the user that the machine is ready to take his third and final dialing operation. Movement of rotors 188 and 189 to their 0 positions sets these rotors up to pass a win pulse as will appear hereinafter. All other conditions remain unchanged.

Assuming he is to win, the user now dials for the third time, a one. Rotor 112 moves as before and comes to rest on contact numbered eleven, a live point, of switch 110. At the end of the return stroke of the dial, contacts 119 open and de-activate relay AA. Contacts 124 on relay AA open but relay B remains activated because of its delayed release characteristic. During this made through now closed contacts 162 and lines 161 and 163. When the time on relay B expires, relay C holds for a short time to pass a current to coil 199 of SWB, as described above, to move the rotors of SWB to their last d positions.

Arrival of rotor 190 at its d contact causes activation of relay E, which opens normally closed contacts 153 thereof cutting off the connection to ground of line 122 preventing any more effective dialing operations on dial 30. Current flows from contacts on relay H to junction 176, line 179, line 156, coil of relay E, line 158, junction 159, line 197, contact d, rotor 190, and to ground via line 198. A holding circuit for relay E is established via lines 154a and 155, and contacts 154. Of course, this rendering of the dial ineffective to move rotor 112 and more occurs whether a play is a winner or a loser.

Assuming he is to lose, the user dials any number other than one for his third dial. This completes a circuit to the lose chain 215 through line 170, normally closed contacts 168 on relay D, line 169, junction 159, line 197, contact 190d, rotor 190, and to ground via line 198. The detailed operation of lose chain 215 appears below.

Relay D serves to prevent simultaneous activation of both the win and lose chains. If there is to be a win, relay CH-3 is activated before the rotors on SWB are stepped to their final d positions. Activation of CH-3 causes activation of relay D. The current path is from power at coil of relay D, line 166, now closed contacts 164 on CH3, and to ground via line 165. Thus, contacts 168 on relay D are opened by the win pulse before rotor 190 gets to its d contact.

- Referring now in detail to win chain 220, current from power at passes through contacts 175 on relay H, line 174, through now closed contacts 167 on relay D to juncture 173. Current is present'at this juncture until the machine is re-set at the beginning of the next play. Current flows through line 251 to juncture 252 and thence to both the coil of relay F and coil 222a of thermal delay relay 221a. Relay F activates at once; the path being from power at present at juncture 252, line 251, coil of relay F, line 250, still closed contacts 223a, and to ground via line 248. Coil 222a gets current via lines 246 and 247. Relay F remains activated only until coil 222a heats up sufiiciently to open contacts 223a.

Activation of relay F also causes lighting of lights 26, sounding of bell or gong 257, and suppying of current to appliance box 263 which may supply sign 24 or for any other purpose. The current path to bell or gong 257 is from power at through line 259, the bell or gong, line 258, now closed contacts 253 on relay F, line 255, junction 256, and to ground via line 248. The lights and receptacle box are preferably AC. Power to the applicance(s) flows from one power line 101 to line 266, through fuse 267, one contacts 265, any appliance, the other contact 262, line 264, now closed contacts 254 on relay F, and back to the other power line 102 via line 260. The lights 26 are in parallel with each other and with the receptacle box. One side of the lights is connected to a juncture 272 in line 264 by line 271; and the other side of the lights is connected to a juncture 270 in lien 266 by a line 269.

Win card dispenser 275 and its light 19 are also activated when there is a win. A steady flow of current from power at is supplied to terminal 274 via line 273 from juncture 173; and terminal 276 is connected to ground via line 277. Light 19 is in parallel circuit with win card dispenser 275.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 to 5, motor M immediately starts turning to move pusher plate 306 to dispense a win card. At this instant, current flows from power at to terminal 274, line 322, motor M, still closed normally closed contacts 327 on relay W, line 331, juncture 333, and to ground via line 320 and terminal 276. A predetermined amount of rotation of motor shaft 311 causes cam member 312 to move away and let normally closed switch 313 close. Closing of switch 313 causes activation of relay W. Current flows from juncture 324, through the coil of relay W, line 326, juncture 335, line 334, switch 313, line 337 and juncture 336 in line 320. Activation of relay W establishes a holding circuit for this relay via now closed contacts 325. Current flows from the coil, through line 326, contacts 325, line 328, juncture 332, line 331, and to juncture 333 in line 320. Activation of the relay also opens normally closed contacts 327, breaking the initial supply circuit to motor M, but before this time plate 306 has moved away sufliciently to allow switch 307 to close establishing another circuit to the motor via line 322, motor M, line 321, switch 307, and line 320. At the end of the cycle of motion of plate 306, after it has pushed out the bottom card in the magazine 319, the plate opens switch 307, and cam member 312 opens switch 313. However, the motor does not start again at this time because contacts 327 are still open, relay W being locked open via the holding circuit through contacts 325. Relay W re-sets when relay CH-3 is re-set.

Referring now in detail to the lose chain 215, it will be seen that the operation is analogus to the win chain except that win dispenser 275 is absent. Current from power at in line 174 flows to junctures 178 and 177, then to the coils of relays G and 221, then to juncture 171, to line 170, and to ground as described via rotor 190 of SW-B. Relay G remains activated only for the time it takes coil 222 to heat up sufliciently to operate its contacts, since contacts 223 are between lines 226 and 227 and control the flow of current to the coil of relay G. Activation of relay G causes activation of lights 25 and hell or buzzer 242. Current flows from power at through line 245, through the lights and buzzer which are all in parallel, to juncture 233, line 232, now closed contacts 229, line 231, and to ground via line 248. Activation of relay G also causes A.C. current to be supplied to lose appliance receptacle box 236, which may supply sign 23, or be used for any other purpose. Current flows from one power line 102 to juncture 238, line 260, juncture 261, line 237, now closed contacts 230, line 234, terminal 235, any appliance(s) such as sign 23, the other terminal 239, line 240, juncture 268, line 266, fuse 267, and to the other A.C. power line 101.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an article and apparatus in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. In combination, an electrically operated device, manually actuated means to electrically pulse a variable selected number of times for each actuation thereof, :means to cumulatively sense the pulses from actuation of said pulsing means a plurality of actuations said sensing means comprising means to start sensing pulses caused by inception of a subsequent predetermined plurality of successive actuations of said pulsing means, from the condition of said sensing means at the end of the operation of the next preceding predetermined plurality of successive actuations of said pulsing means, said sensing means comprising a multi-position rotary stepping switch means operating round and round in one direction only and actuation of said pulsing means causing continuous advance of said stepping switch means from its position at the end of its operation caused by a previous actuation of said pulsing means, and means dependent on said stepping switch being in one or more predetermined positions at the end of a succeeding predetermined plural number of successive actuations of said pulsing means after the end of its operation caused by a preceding predetermined plural number of successive actuations of said pulsing means, to operate said electrically operated device, and said dependent means unresponsive to operate said electrically operated device when the stepping switch means is in any other position than said one or more predetermined positions after said succeeding predetermined plural number of successive actuations.

2. The combination of claim 1, another electrically operated device, and means to operate said another electrically operated device if after the total number of pulsations caused by said predetermined number of actuations, said stepping switch means is in any other than said one or more predetermined positions.

3. The combination of claim 2, and means to prevent operation of said electrically operated device if said stepping switch means is in any of said one or more predetermined positions after actuating said pulsing means a number of actuations less than said predetermined plural number of actuations of said pulsing means.

4. The combination of claim 3, manually actuated switch controlled means, and means responsive thereto, to permit pulsing upon actuation of said pulsing means, only upon actuating said switch controlled means prior to actuation of said pulsing means.

5. The combination of claim 2, and time delay means to selectively terminate operation of said first mentioned or said another electrically operated device, whichever one is operated.

6. The combination of claim 1, and means to prevent operation of said electrically operated device if said stepping switch means is in any of said one or more predetermined positions after actuating said pulsing means a number of actuations less than said predetermined plural number of actuations of said pulsing means.

7. The combination of claim 6, said prevent means comprising a ganged rotor stepping switch, means controlled by said pulsing means to operate said ganged rotor stepping switch, said sensing means including a stepping switch, said means for operating said electrically operated device including means dependent upon the condition of said ganged rotor stepping switch and said sensing means stepping switch after actuation of said pulsing means said predetermined number of times.

8. The combination of claim 1, and means to vary the one or more positions in which said sensing means is re sponsive to operate said electrically operated device.

9. The combination of claim 1, and time delay means to terminate operation of said electrically operated device.

10. The combination of claim 1, and means to render said pulsing means inetfective to send pulses to said sensing means after said predetermined number of actuations of said pulsing means.

11. The combination of claim 1, said pulsing means comprising a pair of normally closed contacts and also including means to open and re-close said contacts a number of times equal to the number of pulses pulsed during an actuation of said pulsing means, said sensing means including, a stepping member, a plurality of contacts and a coil adapted to move said member from one contact to another contact of said sensing means, each time said coil receives a pulse from said pulsing means, a control relay, said control relay comprising a coil and a pair of normally closed contacts controlled by said relay coil; means dependent upon successive opening and 13 closing of said normally closed contacts of said pulsing means, to successively de-energize and energize said control relay coil, and means dependent upon the successive de-energization and energization of said control relay coil to successively energize and de-energize said sensing means coil.

12. The combination of claim 11, and means to prevent movement of said member when said pulsing means is in normal inactive condition.

13. The combination of claim 1, said electrically operated device comprising storage means, a plurality of articles stored in said storage means and means to eject one of said articles upon operation of said electrically operated device.

14. The combination of claim 1, manually actuated switch controlled means, and means responsive thereto, to permit pulsing upon actuation of said pulsing means, only upon actuating said switch controlled means prior to actuation of said pulsing means.

=15. The combination of claim 14, said electrically operated device comprising storage means, a plurality of articles stored in said storage means and means to eject one of said articles upon operation of said electrically operated device, said manually actuated switch controlled means including a switch and means to receive an insert for actuation of said switch.

16. The combination of claim 15, another electrically operated device, and means to operate said another electrically operated device if after the total number of pulsations caused by said predetermined number of actuations, said stepping switch means is in any other than said one or more predetermined positions.

17. The combination of claim 16, still another electrically operated device, means to operate said still another electrically operated device upon actuation of the first mentioned electrically operated device.

18. The combination of claim 17, and time delay means for selectively terminating operation of either said another or said still another electrically operated device, whichever one of them is operated.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,177,066 10/ 1939 Huenergardt.

2,231,255 2/ 1941 Collins.

2,626,389 1/1953 Ellison 273138 X 2,881,892 4/1959 Ylinen 273138 X 2,902,283 9/1959 Chalfin.

3,138,385 6/1964 Giacobello 273138 3,143,345 8/1964 Greenwald 27354 FOREIGN PATENTS 979,150 1/ 1965 Great Britain.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner ARNOLD W. KRAMER, Assistant Examiner 

